Nopales con Huevo
Scrambled Eggs with Cactus
A healthy and traditional Mexican breakfast featuring tender, diced cactus paddles (nopales) sautéed with scrambled eggs, onions, serrano chili, and tomatoes. Served with warm corn tortillas and salsa.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Nopales(Fresh or pre-cooked, diced into 1/4-inch pieces. If using fresh, they will need to be boiled first to remove slime.)
- 4 Large Eggs(Lightly beaten with a pinch of salt and pepper.)
- 1/4 cup Yellow Onion(Finely diced.)
- 1 Serrano Chili(Finely minced. Remove seeds and membranes for less heat, or omit if preferred.)
- 1 Roma Tomato(Finely diced, seeds removed.)
- 4 Corn Tortillas(For serving.)
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil or Lard(For sautéing.)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper
- for serving Salsa(Your favorite kind, such as salsa roja or salsa verde.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Nopales: If using fresh nopales, place the diced nopales in a pot with enough water to cover. Add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are tender and the slimy texture is significantly reduced. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to remove any remaining slime. If using pre-cooked nopales, rinse them well.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 2
Sauté Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil or lard in a non-stick skillet over medium heat (about 190°C / 375°F). Add the diced onion and minced serrano chili. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant. Add the diced tomato and cook for another 2-3 minutes until it softens slightly.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Combine and Scramble: Add the prepared nopales to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Stir well to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the nopales to heat through and absorb some of the flavors. Pour the lightly beaten eggs over the nopales and vegetable mixture. Gently stir and scramble the eggs until they are cooked to your desired consistency, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Season and Serve: Season the nopales con huevo with salt and pepper to taste. While the eggs are cooking, warm the corn tortillas by heating them in a dry skillet, microwave, or oven until pliable. Serve the nopales con huevo immediately with the warm corn tortillas and your favorite salsa on the side.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Cooking nopales thoroughly is key to minimizing their natural sliminess. Rinsing after boiling helps further.
- ✓Adjust the amount of serrano chili to your spice preference. For a milder dish, remove all seeds and membranes or use jalapeño.
- ✓This dish is a complete and healthy meal, rich in fiber and vitamins.
- ✓Consider adding a pinch of cumin to the sautéed vegetables for an extra layer of flavor.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add crumbled queso fresco or shredded Monterey Jack cheese in the last minute of cooking the eggs.
- For a heartier meal, sauté crumbled cooked chorizo before adding the onions and other vegetables.